How were the Egyptians able to build monumental pyramids? What allowed the Romans to manage an empire covering multiple continents? And what does this have to do with IT management?
In his popular podcast Freakonomics, Stephen Dubner dedicated multiple episodes to the topic of incrementalism. He makes a passionate plea for the benefits of small improvements over big investments.
Really big breakthroughs are not achieved overnight by a single act but are the cumulation of smaller advances that eventually reach their tipping point. For all the glory that innovation and big achievements get, the true power comes from incremental advancements and steady progress.
Implications for ERP systems such as Workday
The concepts of incrementalism apply to ERP systems as well. An initial ERP implementation is a major investment and can provide major improvements. Because of time and resource limitations, however, most implementations are incomplete at best.
It is not until the system gets into its administration stage that optimization for an organization can gain momentum. Part of this is a natural learning curve for users. They need to learn to use the new capabilities and be convinced that the new way is better for them and the company.
Take workflow configuration as an example: The implementation team will do their best to configure the approval routes, threshold and notification messages. Inevitably, when transactions start flowing and unexpected use cases pop up, these configurations will need to be adjusted. If not, the system adoption will be affected, and entire control systems may become flawed.
Similar examples can be provided for reporting, automation and integration. Each mistake or bug in the configuration sets the users learning curve and the organization’s adoption back a step.
Workday requires ongoing administration to retrieve the most value from it. The platform is uniquely built to allow for configuration changes post implementation. This can come from process optimization or business changes (e.g. expansion, acquisition). Additionally, Workday releases new functionality twice a year that can be useful to adopt.
Experiences with agile software development methodology prove that flexibility, collaboration, and customer satisfaction drive much better outcomes and certainty that waterfall approaches. Each single change or bug fix may have minimal impact. Together they catapult a mediocre system into an outstanding system.
So why do teams find it difficult to make administration their priority?
Make a Business Case for Administration
In the competition for IT budget, administrative investments lack the glamor and glitz of a new system implementation or an AI infusion. It is easier to make a case for something new and unknown than something existing and known.
There following 4 steps enable Business Systems Managers to make a solid case for incremental improvements:
- Define the Problem Clearly
Break down the value chain and tie improvements to corporate goals.
> Where does Workday contribute to the overall organization (Hiring, Administrative processes, Financial Close, Billing, Projects)? Where are corporate targets dependent on these functions?
- Propose a Specific Solution
Have specific examples of improvements and not just a bucket.
> Identifying smaller projects that have clearly defined outcomes are more likely to receive attention that a blanket check for vague and indirect benefits
- Demonstrate the Value Proposition
Calculate measurable outcomes.
> This could be in the form of cost saving (in FTE or expenses), replacement of spend, time to market improvements, increased margins, better visibility
- Track and Measure Results
Build trust by reliably delivering results that generate value to the organization.
> Trust won’t come overnight; it needs to be earned. Start with quick wins that are visible and easily traced back to a change. Build momentum from there.
Where to start?
At Teamup9 consulting, we empower admin teams to play a pivotal role in driving business success. We help organizations maximize the value of their Workday investment by providing comprehensive support, maintenance, and optimization services. Workday customers use our deep expertise in functional and technical areas to complete critical projects and move business forward.
If you want to know more about how to empower your Workday Admins or optimize your organization for success, contact us at contact@teamup9.com
